THE PRISON BUS ESCAPE

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 35, 10 September 1952, Page 4

THE PRISON BUS ESCAPE

As was to be expected, the Government has been asked in [Parliament how it was that in a bus containing 17 prisoners, guarded by two warders, en route from Wellington to Auckland, three cf the prisoners were able to escape into the bush at Atiamuri after infiicting serious injury to one of ihe warders. The reply given to the House by the Minister in charge of the Prlsons Department (Mr Webb),, consisted mainly of a seiies of reasons why this method of conveying prisoners was considered to be both eonvenient and safe, ancl preferable to entrainment. It was not a very convincing statement. A system is as strong as its weakest link. In this particular instance the link snapped' in circumstances which exposed a sparsely populated countryside to a situation that was certainiy alarming, and might possibly have been really dangerous.

As the Minister has stated, the episode is still under offieial investigation. The public will no doubt be given, in due course, a full explanation of what happened. People will also require ample assurances that metliods will be adopted to ensure there will be no reeurrenee. There is one aspec-t of the case, however, that must have given cause for reflection to people seriously concerned with respect for law and order. That was the reception accorded by the daiTy Press to the three prisoners when they were recaptured. They were photographed enjoying a tasty meal. They were even allowed to be I interviewed about their experiences in the wilds — for all the world as if they were intrepid explorers returnea from a hazardous expedition. From the sensational point of view that might be called good business for press circulation. From the soc'al point of view, in its impact upon imniature minds and adult sub-normals, ;t was, psychologically, very bad business indeed. The publishing of criminal activities should be pillared on a sense of social responsibility. Offieial comment on what happened ir this connection was that it was "unwsual." That is putting it mildly. The enquiry now proceeding should

answer among other questions reveiant to the episode, one in particular which has puzzled and disturbed many, namely, how did it come about that the prisoners were allowed to be interviewed, to bask in public in a kind of heroic glamour ?